Peach tree named ‘CALAVERAS’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with firm, non-melting, yellow flesh suitable for mechanical pitters.   4. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality fresh as well as canned.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘CALAVERAS’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Stanislaus’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,376) and ournon-patented proprietary peach seedling selections ‘41LG80’, ‘288LC126’and ‘72LD654’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from open pollinated seed collected from our non-patented proprietarypeach seedling selection with the field identification number ‘41LG80’.The seed parent (41LG80) originated as a first generation cross betweenour proprietary non-patented peach selections ‘288LC126’ and ‘72LD654’.A large group of these open pollinated seedlings were planted andmaintained on their own root system, during which time we recognized thedesirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling andselected it in 1996 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 1996 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of largesize, non-melting, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor andeating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having anattractive yellow/orange skin color and having good handling andshipping qualities. The fruit is further characterized by maturingrelatively uniform throughout the tree and maintaining excellent shape,texture, color and appearance after being canned. In comparison to itsnon-patented peach seed parent ‘41LG80’ the tree of the new variety hasfruit with firmer flesh, a lower winter chilling requirement and isapproximately 23 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to thecommercial variety ‘Stanislaus’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,376) thefruit of the new variety is firmer, more uniform ripening throughout thetree and is approximately 12 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 18 year old tree and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of18 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies slightly with type and fertility of soil,            climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing necessary for            desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 16 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to center of tree to            enhance fruit color and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 800 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 50.8 cm at 25.4 cm above            ground on a 18 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/2 to 2.5Y 3/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 22.6 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 6 in a 25.8 square cm section.            Average length 8.9 mm. Average width 2.9 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 5/10 to 5YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 3/6 to 2.5Y 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 132.4 mm. Average            width 38.5 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Medium. Average length 8.2 mm. Average width            1.5 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color            varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/8.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — medium to large. Average            length 1.2 mm. Average diameter 0.8 mm. Number varies from 3            to 5, average number 4. Located primarily on the base of            leaf blade and the upper portion of the petiole. Color            varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 8.0 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color 5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 7.5GY 2/4.            Lower surface varies from 5GY 3/6 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein            color varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 6/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 14.8 mm. Average diameter 8.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Small to medium. Average length 4.0 mm. Average            width 1.6 mm. Color varies from 10Y 8/8 to 10Y 8/6. Surface            glabrous.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/10 to 7.5RP 8/6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 14, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 24, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium, non-showy. Average length 16.5 mm. Average            diameter 18.5 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            medium. Average length 10.8 mm. Average width 8.6 mm. Form —            elliptical. Margin — sinuate. Arrangement — free. Petal apex            — rounded. Petal base — truncated. Color varies from 5RP            6/12 to 7.5RP 8/6, varies with age of flower. Both upper and            lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            medium to large. Average length 5.4 mm. Average width            5.5 mm. Shape — ovate. Margin — entire. Apex — rounded to            triangular. Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface            pubescent. Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY            4/6. Lower surface varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/8.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 43. Average filament            length 13.3 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color            varies from 5R 3/6 to 10YR 8/4.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 5Y 8/10 to 5Y 8/8.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Average length 14.9 mm. Surface            — pubescent. Position of stigma an average of 1.9 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 10Y 7/10.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 8/4 to 5RP 6/10.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.8 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color            varies from 10Y 8/8 to 10Y 8/6. Surface glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for consumption            and processing.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 28, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 5, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 61.5 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 73.1 mm. Average weight 210.2            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 9.5 mm. Average diameter 10.3 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 9.9 mm. Average diameter 3.0 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Good, with a good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Heavy, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 11.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—10YR 8/12.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 31.7 mm. Average width 27.0 mm.            Average depth 11.4 mm. Color 8.5YR 7/14.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/10 to 8.75YR 7/12.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 30.7 mm. Average width 26.0 mm.            Average thickness 21.5 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, narrow ridge extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 4/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 14.9 mm. Average width 10.6 mm.            Average depth 6.4 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/10 to 7.5YR 5/10.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 3 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunuspersica), substantially as illustrated and described.